Preferences for Peers

Last registered on September 08, 2020
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Preferences for Peers
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0006305
Initial registration date
September 08, 2020

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
September 08, 2020, 8:34 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country
Switzerland
Region
Europe

Primary Investigator

Name
Ulf Zölitz
Affiliation
University of Zurich
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Xiaoyue Shan
PI Affiliation
University of Zurich
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2020-09-10
End date
2021-12-31
Keywords
Education, Gender
Additional Keywords
Peer Effects, Spillovers, Field experiment
JEL code(s)
I21, D90
Secondary IDs
Abstract
We conduct a field experiment in higher education to study students' preferences for peers. Our primary outcomes will be students' preferences for peers and indicators of educational success. We will analyze heterogeneity along the dimensions of gender and ability.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Shan, Xiaoyue and Ulf Zölitz. 2020. "Preferences for Peers." AEA RCT Registry. September 08. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.6305-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
We randomly assign students to study groups.
Intervention Start Date
2020-09-17
Intervention End Date
2021-02-15

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Students' preferences for peers and educational outcomes.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Evaluations of peer-to-peer interactions.
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
We randomly assign students into study groups of four.
Experimental Design Details
We conduct a field experiment in the 2020 Fall semester at a Swiss university, where we randomly assign students into study groups of four. We measure student characteristics – demographics, educational background, personality traits, social, economic and educational preferences – using data from administrative records and a baseline survey. After voluntary registration for study groups, we randomize group assignment – stratified at the level of broad study programs, and encourage peer-to-peer interactions within study groups. At the end of the semester, we conduct an endline survey which elicits students’ interactions with and willingness to pay for peers.
Randomization Method
Randomization done in office by a computer.
Randomization Unit
Individual.
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
75-150 groups.
Sample size: planned number of observations
300-600 students.
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
300-600 students all assigned to study groups.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
University of Zurich IRB
IRB Approval Date
2018-04-30
IRB Approval Number
N/A
Analysis Plan

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials